Urban Myth: All Moths Eat Clothes

Have you found holes in your clothing and desperately bought mothballs to deter moths from feasting on your favourite garments?
Well before you panic, you should know that not all moths actually eat clothes, it’s a complete myth. Some species of moth prefer foodstuffs like grains and cereals, and some don’t even have mouths. The only species that likes to feast on your clothing is the clothes moth. Let’s look at how to identify a clothes moth and how to deal with a moth infestation in your home.
Is your problem actually being caused by clothes moths?
There are two types of clothes moths that can cause an issue in your home, the webbing clothes moth which is a golden colour, and the casemaking clothes moth which has dark specks on its wings. It can be hard to tell them apart because they are so small.
Clothes moths look similar to other household moths like the pantry moth, but they differ in terms of their food choices. Pantry moths like to feed on grains, flour, pasta, and cereal, while clothes moths feast on anything that’s made from animal fibres that contain the natural protein keratin. So they’ll love a woollen jumper, a silk scarf, or anything made from fur or leather.
It’s actually the clothes moth larvae that feed on your clothing. The adult clothes moth will lay their eggs on your garment, then when the larvae hatch out of the eggs, they’ll start doing their damage. The larvae look like tiny white caterpillars and if they are present, you might notice holes or threadbare patches on your clothing.
But if you haven’t noticed any moths or larvae, the problem could be caused by another species of pest such as carpet beetles. Carpet beetles feast on the same kind of materials as carpet moths so that’s why getting professional advice is crucial-if you don’t know which pest you’re dealing with, how can you solve the problem?
How do clothes moths get in?
Clothes moths get into your home via open doors or windows, or they can travel in on infested clothing or furniture.
How do I get rid of clothes moths?
If you suspect that you have a clothes moth infestation,
• Wash affected clothing on a hot wash to destroy the moth eggs and larvae.
• Vacuum carpets and the inside of wardrobes-be sure to empty your hoover immediately.
• Call in professional pest control-this is the only way to properly identify a clothes moth problem and get it dealt with fast and effectively.
• Once moths are eradicated, store any susceptible materials in zipper bags or vacuum sealed bags.
Do you have a clothes moth problem in your home?
Protect your clothing and valuable items from destruction and call us today. We’ll come and assess your home, identify what species of moth is causing the problem, and take the most effective steps to eradicate them. We’ll also give you expert advice on how to prevent a reinfestation.
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